Section 4.3-Natural Resources Big Idea: Natural resources we use on a daily basis and can either be renewed or not. Get out a piece of paper for 4.3 notes.

Section 4.3-Natural ResourcesBig Idea: Natural resources we use on a daily

basis and can either be renewed or not.

Get out a piece of paper for 4.3 notes and write the Big Idea below.

• Soil and Forests– Resource-any physical material that

makes up part of the Earth and that people need /value.

– Renewable/Nonrenewable

Soil Horizon• Leaching

(caused by rainwater) is the downward movement of minerals and humus in soils

Why do dry areas with less rain have more minerals in the soil that places with more rain?

• Sustaining Soil Resources• Contour Plowing -plowing land across

field to reduce slope and thus erosion• Crop rotation- changing the crops planted

in and area• Irrigation works in arid places but can =

soil salinization…salt from the water built up over time

Why do dry areas with less rain have more minerals in the soil that places with more rain?

• Forests– Reduce erosion,

provided habitats and resources

– Deforestation-destruction or loss of forests

– Reforestation-replanting of trees

What steps have been taken to replenish and prevent deforestation?

• Air– What are major causes of air pollution?

• Chemicals in air mix with sunlight to create smog…Los Angeles and Mexico City

– Acid Rain – chemical combine with water vapor-ruins lakes, trees and buildings

– Air pollution can hurt the ozone layer• Water

– Controlled by dams, canals, reservoirs and aqueducts

– Accessed –wells- tapping into aquifers (layers of rock were water is plentiful)

– Fossil water is desert water that is underground from thousands of years ago

• Mineral Resources• Minerals are solid

substances that come out of the ground

• Usage– Used to build, make

metals, glass…– Mines

• Ore is removed and substance is removed from rock at alternate location

– Some minerals are plentiful…others are rare

• Energy Resources– Fossil fuels-nonrenewable-coal, natural gas, petroleum

• from remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years

– Coal is old but effective and plentiful• Coal pollutes• coal makes dyes

– Petroleum (oil) accessed by drilling-make gasoline, diesel and heating fuel, asphalt, other fuels, explosives, food additives, medicines, pesticides and plastics

– but given artificial smell for detection-heat homes– Uranium-nuclear plants don’t pollute air but produce

radioactive waste

• Alternative Energy Resources– Hydroelectric Power-electricity produced by

moving water• Dams hold water back, then allow it to run

through small openings =power …10% of U.S. energy

– Windmills…wind turbines– Geothermal Energy-heat of the Earth’s interior,

plants built in places near volcanoes and hot springs– Solar Energy-energy of the sun